My 8YO is an incredible athlete. I love watching him play. And he plays competitively in multiple team sports. But due to the influence of the parents in the stands, he is losing his ability to lose gracefully in sports. The parents complain about the reffing non-stop. Even when they are winning big, but especially when they are losing.

I've tried my hardest to teach him to be a good sport. To not blame the refs for losses, but to give them a genuine thank you every game for their role in allowing him to play a game he loves. And he usually does it, although begrudgingly if he loses. But he'll complain about the reffing non-stop on the way home too. Even if he wins, but especially if he loses!

I can't blame him, he's just copying what he's hearing from the parents. But honestly, even in competitive sports, the lessons on sportsmanship still matter more than winning or any athletic skills improvement! And I fear we are losing the sportsmanship battle in competitive youth sports, and our kids are suffering for it.

He's a good kid, but I think honestly in his mind, hes never lost. He either won, or he got screwed by the refs.

The whole thing has me legitimately questioning my choices on putting him in youth sports. I think it can be a great thing for kids, but as of now, I don't think the environment is such that our kids are learning what they should be.

Rant over.